Andrew Cuomo and the Great Divide Among Catholic Americans: Blood on His Hands And How to Respond

 
 

It seems that the battle lines have been drawn. In light of the barbaric bill signed into law by NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, he becomes a predominant example of what is wrong with the Catholic Church in the United States. Granted, the last 50 years has seen more Catholics still continuing their support for the Democratic Party. As the political apparatus operates on anti-Catholic bigotry, abortion on demand, sodomy, and worst of all advocating for cop killers and other forms of violent criminals.

Cuomo is not alone. Over the years, we have seen many so called "Catholics" who continue to support abortion, yet they are willing to protect the lives of those on death row, war-torn countries, contemplated suicide, and even immigrants. Many examples range from  Tim Kaine, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Jerry Brown, , John Kerry, et al. These so called Catholics need our prayers.


The Teaching on Abortion

Since the first century, the Catholic Church has condemned abortion. The Catechism clear states that "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life."

As far as those who commit this heinous crime is concerned, it goes on to say: "Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.  The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae, "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy.  Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society."

What Must Catholics Do?

This episode in the History of Catholic America draws out three things we need to do if we want Catholics in public office to mirror the lives of saints like Thomas More.

The Catholic Church does not need to be in a cafeteria. In fact, they should destroy the cafeteria Catholicism and in turn it needs to be in the battlefields of their community, home, work, and even public square preaching the cardinal and theological virtues to change hearts, minds, and even shape the conscience of the ignorant. They must set up field hospitals for those who are marginalized, betray, and even those who are hungry for the truth.

The Dynamic Catholic is not afraid to be like the first apostles. Rather, they turn the other cheek when mocked, keep pushing forward when taunted by those who have hatred towards the church, and forgive those who have trespassed against them.

I have drawn three conclusions to raise up a fearless generation of Catholics.

1) Pray. Padre Pio reminds us that the rosary is the weapon of our times. Likewise, every catholic must commit to a weekly holy hour. St. Teresa of Calcutta remarked that if Catholics take part in a weekly holy hour, abortion "will end in America."

2) Fulfill the Works of Mercy. The works of mercy, which contains 14 of them, is a way for us to mirror the life of Jesus in our daily lives. Now we cannot convert every single person, but we can a small step by focusing on one person. "Life truly has purpose and meaning when you generously give of yourself to others." A Theology Teacher in Philadelphia

3) Be not Afraid. The bible has reiterated this phrase 365 times. That's equivalent to a daily reminder on your phone or even your calendar for one year. We are called to be fearless. We must go into the streets and make noise for the gospel rich in mercy and love.

Herb Brooks said "Great moments are born from great opportunity." Pro-lifers earned this by doing everything they have to change hearts and minds today for a better tomorrow.

"Our job is to slay the sin of abortion and to win back the women and men who are captive to the culture of violence and despair it creates," Archbishop Charles Chaput

Had An Abortion? What to Do?

I hope I reach out to anyone who needs answers on how to sought out God's forgiveness if they participated in the grave sin of abortion. Let me tell you: You are never too far from God's mercy and redeeming grace. Seek him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, take part in a post-abortion retreat near you, and most importantly forgive yourself.

Pro Life Summer Reading List

 

It is that time of the year where we all go to the beach, the mountains, take a flight to another city, picnic in the middle of nowhere, and going where the roads will lead us.

I have put together a top 10 (plus a few honorable mentions) pro life summer reading list that can help keep promoting and learning from many pro-life heroes of the past while also polishing up on pro-life dialogue and also learning how to defend life form the moment conception until natural death.

1) Persuasive Pro-Life Trent Horn

Published in 2014 and using first hand experience during campus visits, CatholicAnswers.com's own Trent Horn shares first hand some of the dos and don'ts in engaging and challenging pro-choicers' viewpoints.

2) Unplanned Abby Johnson

Once a rising star for Planned Parenthood, Abby Johnson saw firsthand a defenseless life being killed by an ultrasound guided abortion in 2009. She recalled the times she saw volunteers for 40 Days for Life pray in front of her work at Bryan, TX. It would soon lead her to be a pro life advocate and a Catholic convert.

3) Single Candles Brendan Lyons

West Chester, PA native Brendan Lyons writes  a series of narratives form a chain of events that link several characters, all of whom demonstrate compassion and bravery in their commitment to the sanctity of life. In one piece, a senator defies his own political party; in another, a neonatal surgeon is asked to compromise her principles. Although the stories are fictional, the passion that informs the characters’ conviction is very real.

4) Rising with Roses Monique Ruberu

Dr. Monique Ruberu thought she was pro-life until she realized that she was prescribing birth control. Because of the help of many pro-lifers in Philadelphia, she reverted back to her Catholic faith and now promotes Natural Family Planning.

5) A Voice for Victoria: A memoir of healing from post-abortion trauma- Geraldine F Jacobs

A Voice for Victoria shares the author's journey toward understanding how childhood messages and current events played a part in her abortion decision and path to healing from post-abortion trauma through God’s forgiveness.

6) The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Neil Gorsuch

Neil Gorsuch thoroughly assesses the strengths and weaknesses of leading contemporary ethical arguments for assisted suicide and euthanasia. He would argue against the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicie while using Netherlands and Oregon as prime examples. 

7) Johnny Got His Gun Dalton Trumbo

This anti-war novel, written in 1938, shares how a WWI solider who wakes up from his hospital bed with no limbs and half destroyed face. After his wishes of showing the country of the horrors of wars, he reflects on the realities and myths of war.

8) All Quiet on the Western Front-  Erich Maria Remarque

A German veteran of WW1 recounts the physical and mental stress while fighting in the war. It also shares  how detach from civilian life they were following the war's end. 

9) Racketeer For Life Joe Scheidler

A former monk recalls his early involvement in the pro-life movement. He has debated media personalities, politicians, abortion workers, and even fought the culture of death at the Supreme Court.

10) Gosnell: The Untold Story of America's Most Prolific Serial Killer- Ann McElhinney

Ann McElhinney details everything that happen inside of Kermit Gosnell's house of horrors in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Even advocates on both sides were horrified at the heinous committed by the most notorious serial killer of the abortion industry.

Honorable mention:

Love Unleashes Life Stephanie Gray

Stephanie offers a fresh approach to abortion dialogue. This time reaching the heart and minds of abortion minded people.

You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir Melissa Ohden

Melissa Ohden shares first hand how she survived a saline abortion attempt. Learning at the age of fourteen, she went on a journey to search for her biological parents. She would soon have a change of heart.

Bernard Nathanson

Aborting America- shares how he changed his views on abortion.

The Hand of God- Dr. Nathanson hared how he found God and began promoting life after performing 61,000 abortions, including his own son.

40 Days for Life- David Bereit

Started as a small group outside of the Planned Parenthood in Bryan, TX, this life-changing endeavor recalls how it has converted workers, changed hearts, and shut the doors of abortion facilities with prayer, love, and fasting.

Humanae Vitae- Pope Paul VI

Written in 1968 and celebrating 50 years, the encyclical Humanae Vitae is an eye-opening read written by Pope Paul VI as he foretells the repercussions of a society that accepts sexual promiscuity, abortion on-demand, and artificial birth control.

Hard list to put together, for sure. However, there are many pro life books to read such as any written by Scott Klusendorf, Ron Paul, Fr. Frank Pavone, Janet Morena, Janet Smithand so many more. 

LEAKED EMAIL: Clinton Team Bashes 'Backward' Catholics

By Hannity.com staff

WikiLeaks has released another 1,000+ hacked emails from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. The anti-secrecy organization announced part three of their leak on Tuesday afternoon.

Among the newly released documents, one email exchange in particular should draw the ire of conservatives--and American Catholics specifically.

The 2011 email, entitled "Conservative Catholicism", comes from John Halpin, a senior fellow at the left-wing Center for American Progress (CAP), and is addressed to Jennifer Palmieri, formerly of the CAP and current Director of Communications for the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, and John Podesta. 

The email, in which traditional Catholic beliefs are derided as "backwards", drips with contempt for Catholic Americans.

"Many of the most powerful elements of the conservative movement are all Catholic (many converts) from the SC and think tanks to the media and social groups," Halpin writes to Podesta. "They must be attracted to the systematic thought and severely backwards gender relations and must be totally unaware of Christian democracy."

Palmieri piles onto the Catholic bashing in her response.

"I imagine they think it is the most socially acceptable politically conservative religion," Palmieri writes. "Their rich friends wouldn't understand if they became evangelicals."

Imagine the same had been written about Muslims.

website: hannity.com

Bloggers comments:

Conservative Catholics have been on the forefront of fighting the ungodly culture of abortion and for traditional family values for decades. This is an attack not only on Catholics, but also Evangelicals and conservative Jews who hold to the eternal truths in the Bible. We are in a spiritual war for the soul of our nation. A war between good and evil.

Clinton’s worldview is clear. Open borders, one world government, abortion on demand, taxpayer funded abortion, and removing every vestige of God’s truth from society. In essence, they will make themselves god in a socialist utopia. Millions have died when tyrants rule to enforce their godless ideology. Those who hold to these evil ideologies are not fighting their fellow man, but their Creator. 

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